Rick Youngblood
CarbonCraft Master
Hey Jason. My post was not aimed at criticizing the Flop Stop as an option. I'm betting possibly 50% of Cruzbike owner would purchase one as an accessory. If I was still riding the Silvio, I may have considered it. BUT only as a Flop Stop and not as a steering stabilizer to counter the effects of pedal steer for myself.Anyone who has not had the privilege of using a wheel flop stabilizer has not right to criticize its viability. There's a reason for the saying "you don't know what your missing".
A proper wheel flop stabilizer setup should have almost no effect on normal bike handling due to its progressive resistance design. The only time you could feel the effects of the spring would be very slow tight turns and just barely if you focused on it.
I'd wager if a CruzBike came from the factory with a stabilizer that 90% of owners would keep it with the remaining 10% choosing to ditch the extra weight. I totally agree the cost would most likely raise $50-100 per bike from the factory for such a feature.
I'm criticizing folks for saying the bike is flawed and that a pedal steering stabilizer is required/necessary and the bike should be sold equipped with one....and that a steering stabilizer must be included into the design of the bike to help learn the Cruzbike....the Vendetta does not kill. I will not criticize folks for using them for whatever purpose. Heck, Larry has used them, and Gary (bentareo). As a matter of fact Gary came up with a very cool looking one, but I believe it was used for a Flop Stop and not for pedal steer.
Now with that all said. If some one has the time, ingenuity, to develop a lightweight, unobtrusive, adjustable, can be engaged when needed, and disengaged while riding Flop Stop for the Vendetta. I may be interested.